Best cheap Bluetooth speakers

You don’t have to pay a lot to get surprisingly high-tech features in a Bluetooth speaker.

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By Carlos Cadorniga2018-10-22 18:54:33 UTC

With Bluetooth speakers, it’s simply a matter of pairing your device of choice with your speaker, and you’re ready to blast that awesome playlist from anywhere. No more being tethered by an aux cable or worrying that your CD will skip. As long as you’re within range (and the connection range is pretty generous), your music will always be at your fingertips.

But there are a ton of different Bluetooth speakers out there. Some can connect to multiple devices at once, and others can even connect to multiple speakers to expand the sound. Most let you take hands-free calls when your smartphone is connected, so you don’t have to lift a finger. There are nice big ones with great sound, and smaller portable (even waterproof) speakers that you can take with you to the beach.

With all the options on Bluetooth speakers, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the money, so we’ve done the legwork for you. We’ve sniffed out a few of the best-reviewed Bluetooth speakers from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy and have narrowed down the list to help you decide which is the right fit for you. What better place to get shopping advice than from your fellow shoppers, after all?

Here are some of the best-reviewed (and cheap) Bluetooth speakers, all less than $100:

Not just a speaker, but a voice assistant

If you’re just looking for a speaker, others are better

The Echo dot is both a smart speaker and a voice assistant, making it a versatile choice.

You can pair it with other Bluetooth speakers, so you can use the Echo Dot as a smart hub to control your music all throughout your home.

When the Amazon Echo Dot first debuted in 2016, we were quick to name it The Dot is about the size of the hockey puck and is the cheapest option from Amazon’s family of smart speakers. Though it can do a lot, it lacks the 2.5-inch woofer, 2-inch tweeter, and reflex port of its big brother, the Echo. That said, the Dot is a great Bluetooth speaker that delivers a lot for the price. when it first hit the market:

The Echo Dot, like the Echo, is a must-have if you intend to build a smart home and control everything with your voice, especially if you want to have a multi-room or multi-floor set-up.

It’s small, easy to set up, and the Alexa voice commands are as responsive and intuitive as ever. I can’t recommend it enough if you don’t want to pay extra for the Echo’s built-in speaker.

One of the best features is that you can pair it with other Bluetooth speakers, so you can use the Echo Dot as a smart hub to control your music all throughout the home. Though it regularly clocks in at $39.99 on Amazon, we’ve seen it drop as low as $29.99 for Black Friday.

This budget powerhouse has some of the best reviews for a Bluetooth speaker we’ve ever seen.

The gives you plenty of options to play music. Of course you have your Bluetooth connection, but you can also use the classic aux cable or even use an SD/TF card insert to play your favorite tunes. It lasts for five hours on a single charge, and it can even handle hands-free calls. With 100% of users giving it 5-star reviews, it’s definitely worth a look. Amazon users like love its size and portability. Here’s an excerpt from their review:

Had I known how much I would be getting for such a low price, I would have gotten one years sooner. I couldn’t be happier!

Plus, the price is just too good to ignore. Get it for only $14.99.

66-foot range • Excellent reviews • 24-hour battery life

Not a lot of negative things to say!

If you’re looking for an all-purpose Bluetooth speaker that pairs fast and has range and battery life, this could be your best bet.

The battery life on the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is seriously impressive. This small speaker can blast the tunes for a full 24 hours and can pair with devices from up to 66 feet away — more than twice the distance of some of the other ranges we’ve seen in Bluetooth devices at this price point. Available in black, blue, or red, the Anker Soundcore speaker has more than 10,000 customer reviews on Amazon, with many commenting on how much they love it. (No wonder this speaker has received a 5-star rating from 76% of reviewers.) Don’t take it from us though — the reviews speak for themselves. writes:

This Bluetooth speaker is absolutely fantastic! The highs, mids and lows are all very clear even at full volume. The build quality is very good albeit a bit simplistic in its styling (it still looks good so I really can’t complain). Its the Sound Cores function that matters more to me, in that regard the Anker Sound Core delivers on sound quality, battery life and its ability to quickly pair with my phone!

Waterproof • Very durable • Highly rated

Some reviewers say it can have trouble holding a charge

If you want to use your speaker outdoors without worry, this is probably your best bet.

is supposedly rugged and durable. It uses a smooth rubber exterior that is designed to protect it from bumps and scratches. According to the product page, it’s also waterproof and can last up to 30 minutes in three feet of water, making a perfect companion for those poolside parties or shower singalongs. You can also buy two and hook them up to each other for a more immersive surround sound experience. Amazon user says:

Best speaker I’ve ever purchased. Great sound, loud enough, and waterproof ability. Last week, we ran it over – several times with Ford & then the All Terrain Vehicle. Unbelievable, it still works!

We wouldn’t recommend running it over to test its durability, but just take Junmei’s word for it. Available in green or orange, the speaker will run you $29.99.

Super rugged and durable • Has a port for plugging in a karaoke microphone • Great battery life

Some reviewers complain that it’s not loud enough

If you have big outdoor plans for your speaker, this one can withstand dust, snow, mud, and water.

Prepare to meet a juggernaut of an Amazon’s Choice Bluetooth speaker. It’s not only portable and waterproof — , it can also weather dust, snow, and mud. It can even supposedly withstand full water submersion for up to 33 feet for 30 minutes. Don’t know how your speaker would ever be involved in those kinds of weather conditions, but at least you know it’ll be okay. You can even do some karaoke by plugging in an external microphone. The battery life is pretty good on this wireless speaker — it can last up to 30 hours at 50% volume, and the rechargeable battery can be brought back up to full power in about three hours. Some 70% of Amazon users have given this speaker a 5-star rating, with user calling it “the real deal.” Here’s an excerpt from their review:

Not one single regret. If you are looking for a premium speaker at a very non-premium price, these are the speakers for you.

Available in black, blue, or red, the .

24-hour battery life • Super long range • Great reviews of sound quality • Small and portable

Some reviewers say there’s a slight sound delay

This immensely popular lightweight option has long battery life and a large range, so you can feel free to wander.

A portable Bluetooth speaker is already pretty awesome, but can apparently last for over 24 hours so the party can keep going all day and night. It’s also another waterproof speaker that’s primed for poolside parties or relaxing bath time playlists. While most other Bluetooth speakers have a range of 33 feet, this one boasts double the connection range at 66 feet, so you’re free to roam around the party without worrying that you’ll kill the music. Amazon user is just one of the 86% of customers who gave this speaker a 5-star rating. Here is an excerpt from their review:

Yes, it is tiny but sound is so impressive for the size. Highs and mids are just great and detailed vocals, you never hear harsh trebles like flip 4. Bass is very nicely balanced according to the volume levels.

Water-resistant • Can connect to up to 3 devices at once • App-enabled • Allows hands-free calls

Doesn’t hold a charge for as long as some speakers

This high-quality speaker can connect to up to three devices at once, and features colored lights to improve any party.

Sony’s known for great consoles, cool TVs, and negotiating custody over Spider-Man film rights with Marvel Studios. By that logic, is it really any surprise that their Bluetooth speakers have the same kind of quality? , which just makes the cut at $99.99, is portable enough to bring with you in your bag, but stands out thanks to its high-resolution sound. The battery lasts for up to 12 hours on a single charge, and it’s water-resistant for all types of weather. It can also connect to up to three devices at once, so everyone can have a turn playing their favorite music. It’s even app-enabled so you can control the music from a distance, and its light function can help your party aesthetic.Best Buy user Dragonhunter281 loves the functionality attached to its reasonable price. Here’s an excerpt from their review::

The Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable speaker has been a real treat to use. As someone who usually prefers wired headphones and speakers, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and feel of the speaker. At its price point, it definitely packs a punch in terms of both sound and aesthetics and could easily cost more than it does.

If you’re looking for something different, this speaker’s mood lighting and voice-command app could be for you.

Small and compact can usually do the trick, but there’s definitely nothing wrong with the heavy hitters. Namely, . Still small enough to be called portable, this speaker is built to withstand watery environments for poolside parties and raves in the rain. It even has accent lighting with five color-changing modes to fit the mood. According the product page, there’s a Melody app that lets your speaker recognize voice commands for streaming your music. According to Best Buy user reviews, 100% of customers would recommend this speaker to a friend. Not too shabby, huh? Best Buy user Avishai says:

I originally bought this speaker so that I could stream Halloween sound effects outside my house. Halloween has since passed and I’ve been using this speaker everywhere. Great sound with an impressive volume range. Goes fairly long on a full charge.

30-foot range • Allows hands-free calls • Can act as a powerbank for devices • Comes with an aux cable

Some users complain about the incoming call feature

This little speaker gets high marks from reviewers for great sound and versatility.

The Ematic ESR102 is a great portable speaker to have with you, even when you’re not playing music. It boasts a 30-foot range and works as a speakerphone, plus it can act as a power bank for your devices. It can even play audio from games and movies on your device. Walmart reviewer GreenTree says:

This rugged Bluetooth speaker is everything it claims to be! It is portable both outside and in the car.

Stylish • Lightweight • Well-reviewed sound quality

Holds a charge for only 6 hours

This affordable, highly-rated speaker also has a different look.

We’re getting Mega Man “e-can” vibes from this particular speaker, and honestly, we’re all for that. This sleek and stylish speaker measures just over three inches high and weighs less than a pound, plus it has up to six hours of play time with each charge. Westbury user Waltk says:

It’s a great little speaker, that packs quite a punch for it’s size. I use mine with an Echo, and it is quite crisp and clear. If you are looking for a thumping bass, then this is not for you, but if you want a good little general purpose speaker, at a great price, then grab it.

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